On 22 Nov 2003 22:14:20 GMT, (Iowacookiemom)
wrote:

A few nights ago Henry (11 yo) was studying spelling with my husband. He was
having a harder time than usual with it. Out of nowhere, he began removing
most of his clothing, saying that he was very hot. Then he began vigorously
scratching himself all over his body, saying he itched. He became frantic,
almost unable to communicate, shouting, "Get away from me, it hurts! It
hurts!" and ran upstairs to his room, where he vomited. He continued to say
his chest and stomach hurt and did not want anyone around him. For about 10
minutes, he was writhing on the floor, scratching himself, half-crying,
half-shouting about the itching and the pain. Repeated questions about where
it hurt, how can we help, etc., seemed to make it worse. He kept saying he
wanted to go to the emergency room but it was clear he was breathing fine and
when I managed to get close enough to take a temperature he did not have a
fever (in fact, it was low -- 95.2).

Gradually I got through to him to calm down and describe symptoms more
completely: sharp, stabbing pain in the chest, throat and stomach along with
unbearable itching (I get allergy-related itching in my feet and I know how
frantic it makes me, so I can sympathize). He had no visible welts or hives
(then again, I never get them on my feet either).

I'd take him to a doctor. Agitation, palpitations, itchy skin and
coughing, or difficulty in breathing, are symptoms of anaphylaxis so
even if you can't be sure that's what he had, I'd check it out. You
might be advised to keep an ephinephrine injection around just in case
since anaphylaxis can progress very rapidly and can be life
threatening. Also make a note of everything he ate and did prior to
the attack before you forget (specific combinations of food and
exercise can spark anaphylaxis).

--Lisabell